title: Influence of homogeneous interfaces on the strength of 500 nm diameter Cu nanopillars.
abstract: Interfaces play an important role in crystalline plasticity as they affect strength and often serve as obstacles to dislocation motion. Here we investigate effects of grain and nanotwin boundaries on uniaxial strength of 500 nm diameter Cu nanopillars fabricated by e-beam lithography and electroplating. Uniaxial compression experiments reveal that strength is lowered by introducing grain boundaries and significantly rises when twin boundaries are present. Weakening is likely due to the activation of grain-boundary-mediated processes, while impeding dislocation glide can be responsible for strengthening by twin boundaries.
authors.affiliation: Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Boulevard, Passadena, California 91125, United States. jangd@caltech.edu
authors.forename: Dongchan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Can
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Julia R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Greer
mesh_terms: D019245:Compressive Strength; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D004548:Elasticity; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D003300:Copper